careers Archives

Consider Having a Side Hustle In Your Unretirement

March 31, 2021 by Sharlyn Lauby 5 Comments

airport sign showing that forward thinkers consider a side hustle in retirement

A key aspect to unretirement is work. When we think of being retired, we think of “not working”. Many individuals are finding that they like work. They like the challenge of work. They like the camaraderie of work. And they even like the financial rewards of work.

But that doesn’t mean that our work has to remain the same.

It might make sense to transition from full-time to part-time. Or maybe have an encore career, also referred to as a second career. You could also have a portfolio career, where you do a few smaller jobs instead of one big one. Then of course, there’s the option of being a freelancer, contractor, or consultant (aka creating a side hustle as part of the gig economy).

The reason I’m bringing this up is because I just read an article on The Hustle that LinkedIn is building a gig marketplace. The idea is that the “Marketplace” will be similar to Fiverr and Upwork, which are sites that host freelance work. If having a side hustle is part of your unretirement strategy, then it could make some sense to watch what LinkedIn is doing. Here are also a few other things to consider.

Keep your LinkedIn profile current. Most of us do not have career events happen that justify changing our LinkedIn profile on a weekly or monthly basis. But that doesn’t mean you can simply set it and forget it. Make a note to yourself to check your LinkedIn profile every six months or so to ensure it looks the way you want it to. If you feel your profile needs a good overhaul, Hannah Morgan (aka Career Sherpa) has a reasonably priced LinkedIn eGuide that can help.

Start posting news and paying attention to others. With your LinkedIn profile in order, now it’s time to start creating engagement. You can do that by posting articles of interest, giving endorsements, and writing recommendations. You can also do it by commenting on other people’s posts. It’s not hard, but it does take having a plan. If you’re thinking about a side hustle in unretirement, then you need for others to remember you. Being engaged helps people remember you.

Think about how you would display your side hustle on your profile. Lots of people have a side hustle. This isn’t anything to hide. What you have to do is find a way to share it so it looks cohesive with the rest of your profile. A few years ago, an HR Bartender reader asked about displaying side hustles on their resume and LinkedIn. A couple of recruiters shared their thoughts. Check it out when you have a moment. It might give you some creative inspiration on how to let others know about your side hustle.

Test drive the Marketplace feature. As I mentioned earlier, LinkedIn’s new feature will resemble other freelance marketplaces. At some point, you will want to test out these sites to see how they work. You’ll want to know their terms and conditions. Are there any other things you will need to create to participate (like a PayPal or Venmo account). You’ll also want to see if others are doing the same type of work you’re doing. On one hand that can be a good thing – because the site might have a reputation or attracting customers looking for a specific product or service. It could also be a negative if there’s too much competition.

Set a date to evaluate your progress. I’m thinking of this activity as a way to learn more about side hustles. I do believe the best time to do that is when you’re still employed. The goal isn’t to start working two jobs, although you might find that adding the side gig now makes perfect sense. Just be prepared to regularly look at the effort you’re putting into your freelance work and the return you’re getting from it.

Freelancing work is a common way to transition from regular full-time status. It offers individuals freedom and some income. But make no mistake freelancing doesn’t just happen. It takes time to build a side hustle. If you’re thinking this might be for you, try it out before you need to make a final decision.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA

Older Workers Should Think About Their Short and Long Term Career Plans

March 3, 2021 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

It’s no surprise that older members of the workforce are being negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article from PBS News Hour, older workers are faced with two huge challenges when it comes to work and the pandemic. First, there’s the science that says older persons are a higher risk of exposure to the virus. Second, older workers are finding it hard to land new opportunities in today’s labor market.

I wish I could say this is going to change once we all get vaccines, but I don’t know if that’s true. There are still many unknowns regarding our economic recovery and the longer-term impacts of the virus. But one thing is certain. Older workers should be thinking about both their short- and long-term career plans.

Always having a “Plan B” where your career is concerned is a good idea. There’s no rule that says you have to use it. It just makes good sense to think about the career options you might be willing to explore if circumstances warrant. It allows you to stay in control of your professional career.

If you’re looking for a place to start thinking about your future career options, here are a handful of articles that might help.

Encore Careers: What They Are and Why You Might Want One

As we’re thinking about our retirement (and unretirement), one option that’s available to us is an encore career. It’s defined as a job or career that happens later in life to provide both purpose and money. According to Encore.org, some of the most promising fields for encore careers are in the non-profit sector, management services, and services for aging persons. Currently, the older generation is also the largest freelancing group.

How to Apply Your Transferable Skills Toward an Encore Career

An Unretirement Project reader asked about how to “take the skills we’ve honed to a razor’s edge during our regular career and apply them to something completely new.” It’s a very valid point. As we start considering our future career options, we need to be able to identify and sell the transferable job skills we’ve acquired throughout our professional lives.

Portfolio Career: An Alternative to Encore Career

A portfolio career is where someone works many part-time jobs instead of one full-time job. For example, an accountant might sell insurance and do tax preparation. It’s the idea of having several smaller jobs that a person can work on at the same time. This might not be optimal for everyone. But for some, this could be exactly the flexible work arrangement you’re looking for.

Even if you’re not planning a transition to an encore or portfolio career, it’s important to keep your skills relevant. That means finding ways to keep your business acumen current and possibly exposing yourself to new experiences via volunteerism.

Business Acumen: 6 Ways to Improve Yours

It should come as no surprise that one of the biggest competencies that organizations expect from employees is business acumen. It’s important to know the business, be able to talk about it, and make decisions to help the business grow. But honestly, it’s hard to develop business acumen. Oh sure, a lot of people throw business buzzwords around like “growth mindset” and “blue ocean strategy” but do they really know everything those terms mean? In today’s business world, new concepts are being developed all the time. It’s a challenge to stay current, especially when your plate is already full of work.

Now May Be the Best Time to Volunteer – Or Not

We know that, for many, workplace unrest, furloughs and layoffs have upended retirement planning. Volunteering may not be an option when your focus is on an interim job or your next opportunity. However, a volunteer role may provide experience, new skills, or connections that could lead to a new job. Something to keep in mind. For others, volunteering can be a rewarding way to support others and the causes that really matter. Use your spare time to find something that matches your interests and skills. And if volunteering is still a few months or years away, no problem. You can do the groundwork now to find what’s best for you.

Remember that old saying, “The best time to look for a job is when you have one.”? Well, it’s possible that won’t always apply. We weren’t able to predict a pandemic and its recovery. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t always have a career plan.

A career plan allows us to see the possibilities. We can act on them if we want to or need to. A career plan can allow us to be in control of our career, which is so incredibly important. As we think about retirement, be able to control how and when your career ends on your own terms.

Resume Tips for Older Job Seekers

December 16, 2020 by Sharlyn Lauby 2 Comments

door sign step into your best day for optimizing a resume

In an article from the Associated Press, older workers are facing higher unemployment numbers because of the pandemic. I wish that I could say that I’m surprised by this, but I’m not. What I am surprised at, is when I hear that older job seekers rely on outdated job search strategies.

I understand that an older job seeker maybe hasn’t looked for a new opportunity in a while. That’s okay. But recruiters are using new tools to find the best candidates, so you have to update your strategy accordingly. One of the first things you’ll want to revisit is your resume.

I asked my friend Meg McCormick SHRM-SCP if she would share some resume tips with us. Meg provides customized resume services at HR Meg. I’ve known Meg for years and she’s a super smart HR professional. She knows what’s happening inside organizations and what companies expect in a job seeker’s resume.

Meg, one of the advantages in being an older job seeker is you have lots of experience. But many career experts say that long resumes (over 2 pages) can be detrimental to your job search. How can someone decide what to include on their resume?

[McCormick] Two pages should be enough space to present your work experience. Anything beyond that, the hiring manager isn’t going to read. I recommend including more details about your current / most recent experience and accomplishments, and fewer (if any) details for any work you did more than 15 – 20 years ago.

Another approach is to summarize earlier jobs under a catch-all heading, such as ‘prior sales experience, 1987 – 1994’. That gives the hiring manager some context into your career history.

Another area of a resume that job seekers are regularly told to get rid of is the objective. What are your thoughts on including an objective in a resume?

[McCormick] The objective usually goes at the top of the first page – this is prime resume real estate. It’s the first place the hiring manager looks, and what you put in that space is critical to making them want to keep reading your resume.

That valuable space is better used for a ‘Professional Summary’, which is a brief statement that explains your unique value proposition for prospective employers. Some call it your ‘personal brand’. You can explain your career objective in your cover letter.

I can see older job seekers using their job search time to not only look for a job but relocate to where they want to be in “retirement”. What tips do you have for someone who is trying to get a job in a new city or state?

[McCormick] The internet is your friend – you can search job postings anywhere in the world!

Research the job market in your destination of choice and discover location-specific job boards.
See if there are regional placement agencies or recruiters that specialize in your field with contacts in your new locale.
Use LinkedIn to see if you are connected with anyone who has contacts in companies located where you want to move and ask if they would make an introduction.
Check out regional newspapers and local news channels online to get a feel for what’s happening in terms of business, the economy, and lifestyle in your potential destination.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a job that is well-suited for telework, you might be able to arrange with your current employer to continue remote working for them, but move to your new location. Be sure you agree on work hours, especially if you’ll be leaving your employer’s time zone, and other details of your arrangement. This could end up being a win for both you and your company. One caveat: Don’t make a move like this without checking with your employer first; especially if the move would take you out of state (or even out of the country), there may be tax and legal implications that impact both you and your employer.

An older job seeker might also be faced with taking a pay cut. How can they convincingly answer the pay question, so a potential employer understands they’re cool with less money?

[McCormick] I think it’s better to approach this one first in terms of what’s the salary range for the job. If you’re pivoting to a new career field, your most recent salary is irrelevant to the new job. So, you could say that you’re comfortable accepting a salary in the range of $X – $Y, which you feel is reasonable based on your research and the job description as you understand it. Do your research up front so you have an idea of what the job ought to pay, and adjust for locality and other factors to come up with a fair range.

The nature of the salary negotiation process has changed in recent years. In many states and some localities, it is now illegal for employers to ask for an applicant’s salary history or to use it as a screening factor, such as requesting it on a job application. If you are specifically asked what your last salary was, you can respond by explaining that you know it’s not relevant given the nature of the job you’re interviewing for, and instead asking what the pay range for the position is. Some jurisdictions require employers to provide this information.

Remember to consider other components of the total compensation package in addition to salary. For example, additional paid time off might be more valuable to you at this stage in your life than salary. Or you might be in a position to save a big chunk of your pay in the employer’s retirement plan to maximize their matching contribution. There’s more to compensation than just base salary.

Last question. If a job seeker hasn’t had someone review their resume in a long time, I think it would be a good investment to do so. What does a professional resume writer (like yourself) offer that a job seeker would find helpful?

[McCormick] I think it makes sense to have an HR professional review your resume, especially if it’s been a number of years, or if you want to change careers. I have the ideal background and experience to create resumes that get noticed. You’ve probably only ever worked on your own resume; I’ve read and written more than I can count. I have a good sense of what hiring managers want, and I can tell a good resume from one that’s trying too hard to impress. I keep up on hiring trends so I can bring current HR knowledge to each client.

It’s also worth considering that with resume services, you get what you pay for. Less expensive services base pricing on volume, and you probably won’t get an individual consultation with a pro. I provide individual attention and communication throughout the process. You’ll come away with a customized resume that’s appropriate for your industry, featuring a professional summary that conveys your unique personal brand to hiring managers. I do all the work – I don’t outsource. I can also offer assistance with customized cover letters targeted to specific job postings and can review and recommend updates to your LinkedIn profile.

A huge thanks to Meg for sharing her knowledge and expertise with us. If you want to learn more about her services, visit her website at https://hrmeg.com and be sure to subscribe to her blog.

Older job seekers can offer organizations a lot of skills and expertise, but you have to get the interview. Resumes are the first step. Make sure yours will stand out in the crowd.

6 Tips For a Successful Video Interview

December 2, 2020 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

artwork showing blank cutout of a person in business clothing to imply a video interview

I wrote an article recently that featured a few tips for a successful phone interview. In it, I mentioned video and realized it might be a good idea to share some tips for a successful video interview. Like phone interviews, video is becoming increasingly popular given the pandemic. And I don’t see it going away anytime in the near future because employers are finding it to be very cost effective.

Like phone interviews, it’s absolutely essential to plan before a video interview. Here are a few things to consider:

Confirm your technology. Generally, phone interviews are shorter and well, they’re on your phone. A video interview could be longer so you might not want to use technology that you’re going to have to hold the entire time. Make sure whatever tech you’re using is charged and ready to go. Test whatever software you’re using for the call in advance and make sure you know what to do if the technology doesn’t work during the interview. The recruiter should give you this information in advance. If they don’t, you should ask.

Plan your background. I recently conducted a poll over on HR Bartender about video backgrounds. They do matter and people pay attention to them. As you’re testing out your technology (see number one above), look at the video background. Make sure that anything you see in the background you want a recruiter to see. As an HR pro, I’m going to tell you that candidates do not take enough time in this area and the number of NSFW items in video backgrounds…yowza!

Think about your wardrobe. I’m not mentioning clothing because you need to dress hip or flashy. You be you. But video cameras can distort your clothing. For example, if I went to an in-person interview, I could wear a striped blouse, and no one would pause. It’s totally fine. A striped shirt on video can be distracting. You want the recruiter to be focused on your experience and strengths, not the pattern on your clothing. So, look at what you plan to wear on video to make sure it’s camera-friendly. And I shouldn’t have to say this, but just in case…wear pants.

Have a pen and paper handy. You might want to take notes during the interview. A question might pop into your head during the conversation. Or you might think of something you want to share. Trying to remember this information will be reflected in your facial expression. Just jot a note – maybe a couple of words to prompt your memory – and stay focused on the conversation.

Prepare your questions. Given what’s going on right now, it’s possible that you might have a phone interview and then a video interview. You will want to have some questions prepared for each. In fact, you might start with, “Last time we spoke, we talked about XYZ, I’d like to hear more.” It’s always good to ask what next steps will be in the interview process. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you’re asked multiple times about your salary requirements. Especially, if the position you’re applying for pays less than what you’ve been paid in the past.

Check your security settings after the call. Many times, you will have to “allow or permit” your technology device to use the video and microphone to conduct the interview. It’s totally up to you, but you might want to turn those permissions off once the interview is over. The downside is that you have to remember to turn them on every time. The upside is you don’t have to worry about security risks.

While the format for interviews is evolving, the purpose of the interview hasn’t changed. It’s for the organization to learn about your skills and experience. It’s also for you to learn about the company. Don’t lose sight of that. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to be flexible and resilient, two qualities that employers everywhere are looking for.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas

Entrepreneurship and Retirement: Your Next Adventure

October 21, 2020 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

adventure in entrepreneurship is waiting, build yours

I’ve mentioned before how Keith and I schedule time every year to talk about our life. We discuss our business, personal stuff, and finances. One of the reasons that we started doing this is because we own a company, ITM Group. We thought it was important to talk about what our retirement would look like as entrepreneurs.

Freelancing, contracting, consulting or entrepreneurship…whatever you want to call it, is far more popular today than it was almost 20 years ago when we started our company. Many individuals have side hustles in addition to regular full-time or part-time jobs. Which is why it’s so important to think about retirement (and unretirement) in the context of both regular work and freelance work. Because the transition could be different.

That’s not to say that the transition would be bad or difficult. Frankly, having a side gig while transitioning to retirement could be fantastic. It could offer a huge about of flexibility while at the same time provide some financial security.

In the book, “Your Next Adventure: Planning for Life After the Sale of Your Business”, the authors take the time to talk about five elements to consider when you have a business and you’re planning entrepreneurship in retirement. And as a side note: if you’re saying to yourself “I’m not really a business owner. I just do some speaking on the side. Make a few bucks each year.” Let me tell you – you’re a business. And you need to think about how you will manage that freelancing work during your unretirement journey. Here are the five elements to consider:

Your social circles. When you own your own business or you have a side gig, you spend time networking and building relationships. At the point you start transitioning away from work, your social circles are going to change. Maybe not completely, but they will change. Are you ready to transition those friendships and build new ones?

Your family. Making the decision to work less, sell the business, or transition to doing different work is one that is best discussed with family and close friends. Especially if you have family members or really close friends who help out in the business. Keeping them out of the loop could create some unfortunate surprises.

Your purpose. As a consultant, I spend a lot of time working. And I’m okay with that. But I’ve always been a person who likes a full plate. I honestly have no clue how I would spend my time if I was a full-time retiree. And it scares me a little. At some point, I will need to figure out how to provide purpose without owning a business.

Your wellbeing. A contributing factor to entrepreneurship is being physically and emotionally well. There are often long hours and sometimes sleepless nights. The last thing that anyone wants is for our failing health to drive our retirement plans. Finding time to take care of ourselves is important.

Your finances. Last and certainly not least, we have to think about our financial position. When you work on your own, there’s no pension plan. You have to finance your own retirement. Individuals will want to start planning for how their finances will be changing as the nature of their work changes.

I think these five elements are great topics to keep in mind as you’re planning your transition toward retirement. Even if you don’t own a business or have a side hustle. But of course, we’re talking about entrepreneurship today.

Even though the book didn’t mention it, that was one of the big takeaways for me. The things we need to consider for our transition to retirement are very similar regardless of our employment status.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the streets of Chicago, IL

Can Remote Work Be a Way to Phase Into Retirement?

October 14, 2020 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

computer desk image showing an image of a sign with caution rockstar at remote work

Right now, older workers are trying to make some decisions about their future careers and asking a number of important questions. Can I continue to work onsite? Maybe it’s time to retire? Or should I think about transitioning to an encore career? These are all very valid. There’s one other question to consider: Is it possible that remote work might help me achieve my retirement goals?

I recently listened to The Retirement Wisdom podcast, “Can Working Remotely Beat Ageism?”. The guest for this episode was Kerry Hannon, author of the book “Great Pajama Jobs: Your Complete Guide to Working from Home”. I will admit that the title of the podcast gave me a bit of discomfort. As a human resources professional, I hate the fact that ageism exists. But the realist in me understands that it does. And sadly, that it’s not going away overnight.

In the podcast, Hannon says that one of the biggest benefits to working from home is beating ageism. For organizations and individuals. Organizations can have older professionals work remotely and not worry about whether that person fits in with the younger members of the team. Older workers can benefit from being evaluated on their performance results and not how they look or act.

Again, let me say that I hate, hate, hate ageism. And I particularly hate that Hannon’s remarks have some truth in them. But instead of thinking about remote work as a way to beat ageism, is there a way to think of remote work as part of a phased retirement strategy? Organizations benefit because they are able to keep skilled workers longer. Older workers can benefit by being able to still contribute while (possibly) downsizing to their forever home, commute less so they can fulfill caregiving responsibilities, and continue to save for their financial future.

But working remotely doesn’t mean easier work. If you’re intrigued by the idea of using remote work as part of your phased retirement strategy, here are a few things to consider:

Do you want to be an employee or a freelancer? One of the first things you have to decide is how you want to pursue remote work. If you’re working for an organization that allows working from home, then great – you could be set. And if you don’t or you’re currently looking for a new job, do you want to make remote work one of your job must-haves?

Do you have enough workspace? I mentioned earlier that part of your retirement strategy might be moving to a smaller home. If you’re planning to work from home, do you have the space to do it? In our last home, Keith worked in the dining room. With our new house, he has his own space and that’s important.

Can you setup your workspace with equipment and technology? Once you have a designated workspace, you’ll need to think about what it takes to be productive. When we work in an office, we take for granted that we will have a desk, chair, and computer equipment. With high-speed internet. Getting the remote work office setup you want could involve spending some of your own money.

Are your skills current? I believe working from home involves some different skills. A couple that immediately come to mind are technology and time management. You’ll want to take an inventory of your skills and decide if there are any you want to update or add. And you’ll want to find ways to gain those skills while working from home. If you’re accustomed to taking a class at your worksite, now you might read a book or take an online program.

Are you mentally and emotionally ready? I’ve worked from home for over a decade. Socializing is different. You don’t have people to collaborate with all the time. There are distractions and temptations all the time. Some of them are fun (like cute panda videos) and then there’s doomscrolling. You have to figure out how to not snack all day and when you’re going to exercise. All of this contributes to the work from home experience.

Regardless of what’s going on with the pandemic, remote work has been increasing in popularity for quite some time. Is it possible to take advantage of a growing trend and make it a part of your retirement strategy? Possibly, but it takes planning so you’re ready when the opportunity presents itself.

Your Career: Development Strategies To Consider

July 29, 2020 by Sharlyn Lauby 1 Comment

mall sign careers success starts here with development strategies

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I wanted to share a few career development resources given the state of the current job market. I hate to say it, but ageism still exists. A recent article on Next Avenue mentioned that many older workers have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and it’s possible they will not be asked to return to the workplace because of their age.

Traditionally, many workers have relied on their employers to provide professional development opportunities. And I agree, they should. It’s important for organizations to make investments in an employee’s career and future with the organization. If they don’t, it could result in high turnover.

But that doesn’t mean employees are off the hook. Employees need to have their own personal career development strategies. They need to be able to articulate to their managers what they want in terms of a career. In addition, employees should have an honest opinion about the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to work on. And when the company isn’t ready or willing to provide career development strategies, employees need to figure it out on their own.

If you’re looking for a little creative inspiration when it comes to developing your own career strategy, here are a few articles that you might find helpful:

The Top 5 Soft Skills That Employers Should Look For

Soft skills are in big demand. Employers want to identify them in candidates. Learn the top soft skills that employers look for when hiring.

Networking: 7 Proven Ways to Grow Your Career

Whatever stage you’re at in your studies or career, networking can connect you with exciting opportunities. Learn to network successfully.

How to Get Better Results in Your Work

Results at work can lead you to career success. But delivering a great outcome doesn’t just happen. Learn 7 steps that will help you get better results at work.

Integrity: 6 Ways to Improve Trust and Values

Integrity is the foundation of trust and respect. Good leadership needs strong values. Here are 6 things to focus on to improve organizational integrity.

10 Ways to Be a Better Team Player

Being a better team player can be a boost for your career. Companies look for it in promotions. Learn 10 ways to be a better team player.

Innovation and Leadership: 7 Qualities Organizations Need for Success

Leadership is needed more today than ever today. Innovation is key to success and growth. Here are 7 qualities in strong organizational leadership.

Understanding what companies are looking for can help you define where you’d like to see your career now and in the future. It can help you identify the resources you’d like when negotiating with the company. It can also help with your overall work performance (which often helps with your paycheck and future opportunities, if you know where I’m going).

Career development strategies benefit both you and the organization you work at. While those conversations should be happening on a regular basis, don’t miss out on opportunities to develop yourself. Be prepared!